Therefore (A)let us leave (B)the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance (C)from dead works and of faith toward God, and of (D)instruction about washings,[a] (E)the laying on of hands, (F)the resurrection of the dead, and (G)eternal judgment. And this we will do (H)if God permits. For it is impossible, in the case of those (I)who have once been enlightened, who have tasted (J)the heavenly gift, and (K)have shared in the Holy Spirit, and (L)have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and (M)then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since (N)they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. For (O)land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But (P)if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, (Q)and its end is to be burned.

Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 10 For (R)God is not unjust so as to overlook (S)your work and the love that you have shown for his name in (T)serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance (U)of hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but (V)imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Certainty of God's Promise

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, (W)he swore by himself, 14 saying, (X)“Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham,[b] (Y)having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes (Z)an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to (AA)the heirs of the promise (AB)the unchangeable character of his purpose, (AC)he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which (AD)it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope (AE)set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into (AF)the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone (AG)as a forerunner on our behalf, (AH)having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 6:2 Or baptisms (that is, cleansing rites)
  2. Hebrews 6:15 Greek he

Therefore, let us leave behind the stam (elementary) ikarim (essentials) of the dvarim hahora’ah (words of teaching) about Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach, and let us move ahead to hitbagrut (maturity), not laying again a foundation of teshuva from ma’asim metim (dead works) and Emunah toward Hashem,

Of divrei torah on tevilot and tohorah and s’michat yadayim and of the Techiyas HaMesim and of the Mishpat Olam.

And this we shall do, im yirtzeh Hashem (if the L-rd wills).

For it is impossible for those who once received the Ohr Hashem, having tasted of the matanah of Shomayim and having become chavrusa partners of the Ruach Hakodesh,

And having tasted the goodness of the Dvar Hashem and the nifla’ot of the Olam Habah,

and then, having fallen away, and become shmad‖it is impossible to renew them again to teshuva, because they have pierced to themselves the Ben HaElohim on HaEtz HaKelalat Hashem and have again held him up to contempt and open bushah (shame).

For the Adamah (Mud), which drinks the geshem (rain) that often falls upon it, and brings forth ESEV (plants, BERESHIS 1:11) suitable for those for whom it is cultivated, receives a bracha from Hashem;

But if Adamah (Mud) is producing KOTZ V’DARDAR (thorns and thistles, BERESHIS 3:18), it is worthless and near to being arurah (cursed, BERESHIS 3:17), whose Ketz (End) is for burning in Eish [T.N. the allusion is to Eish Gehinnom].

However, Chaverim, even though we speak in this way, we have been convinced of better things concerning you and of things belonging to Yeshua’at Eloheinu.

10 For Hashem is not unjust so as to forget your po’al (work) and the ahavah which you have shown toward ha-Shem of him, having rendered avodas kodesh ministry service to the Kadoshim, ken, and you are still serving them.

11 And we desire that each one of you show the same zerizut (diligence) so as to realize the full bitachon of the tikvah (hope) until HaKetz,

12 That you not become atzlanit (sluggards) but imitators of the ones who through Emunah and zitzfleisch (patience) inherit the havtachot (promises).

13 For when Hashem gave the havtachah (promise) to Avraham Avinu, als (since) Hashem had no one greater by which to make a shevu’ah (oath), Hashem made a shevu’ah by Himself, [BERESHIS 22:16]

14 Saying "Surely blessing I will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you" BERESHIS 22:17).

15 And thus, having waited with zitzfleisch, Avraham Avinu obtained the havtachah (promise).

16 For Bnei Adam make a shevu’ah by someone greater than themselves, and a shevu’ah given as confirmation, settles every matter decisively.

17 Similarly, when Hashem wanted to demonstrate even more emphatically to the yoreshim (heirs) of the havtachah (promise) the unchangeableness of his willed tachlis (purpose), Hashem guaranteed it with a shevu’ah,

18 In order that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for Hashem to speak sheker, we may have chozek (strength) and great encouragement, we who say that "he is my MAKHSEH (refuge, shelter TEHILLIM 91:2)" and have taken hold of the tikvah (hope) set before us.

19 This tikvah we have as an ogen (anchor) for the neshamah, a tikvah both firm and secure, which enters inside the parokhet,

20 Where Yehoshua has entered as a foroisgeier (forerunner) on behalf of us, having become a KOHEN L’OLAM AL DIVRATI MALKI TZEDEK ("Kohen forever according to the order of Malki Tzedek" Ps 110:4).

Therefore let us move beyond(A) the elementary teachings(B) about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,[a](C) and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rites,[b](D) the laying on of hands,(E) the resurrection of the dead,(F) and eternal judgment. And God permitting,(G) we will do so.

It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened,(H) who have tasted the heavenly gift,(I) who have shared in the Holy Spirit,(J) who have tasted the goodness(K) of the word of God(L) and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen[c] away, to be brought back to repentance.(M) To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God(N) all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.(O) In the end it will be burned.

Even though we speak like this, dear friends,(P) we are convinced of better things in your case—the things that have to do with salvation. 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.(Q) 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope(R) for may be fully realized. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate(S) those who through faith and patience(T) inherit what has been promised.(U)

The Certainty of God’s Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,(V) 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”[d](W) 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.(X)

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.(Y) 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging(Z) nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised,(AA) he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie,(AB) we who have fled to take hold of the hope(AC) set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,(AD) 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.(AE) He has become a high priest(AF) forever, in the order of Melchizedek.(AG)

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 6:1 Or from useless rituals
  2. Hebrews 6:2 Or about baptisms
  3. Hebrews 6:6 Or age, if they fall
  4. Hebrews 6:14 Gen. 22:17